Sqeeking Noise, Bad A/C Pulley Bearing?

[brickyard]

Hi Everyone,

I have a 98 Astro van that recently started making a sqeeling type noise. It seemed to start, or become more noticable after I changed the altenator because it failed. After getting the parts store to exchange it for another and then changing the idler pulley and complete tentioner assembly I know its none of these items. The water pump was changed in May of 2007 so it shouldn't be that either. It sounds like the noise is coming from the top of the engine and now it sounds like its near the A/C compressor. It sounds like a bearing or metal noise which happens at idle very slightly and when accelerating under load. Once your up to speed and crusing you usually don't hear it but it does make some noise every once in a while. It makes the noise with the AC on or off so I don't believe it is the compresser itself.

I searched all the posts in this section but didn't see any information on how to remove the clutch and pulley to do a replacement. I also noticed a replacement pulley is about 125 and the bearing by itself is under $20. How hard is it to remove the old bearing and install a new one and where can I turn to find procedures on removing the these pieces so I can get the pulley off and either change the bearing or the entire pulley?

Any help would be appreciated.

[astro355]

The easiest way to figure out what is squeaking is to take the serpentine belt off and turn each pulley by hand. If that a/c makes any sort of squeak or feels loose, its done. When the bearings go out in the a/c compressor, other parts are tore up also. You would be better off getting the new compressor.

[ddreier]

Had a similar problem
I sprayed the pulley and cluch plate down with electrical contact cleaner and the noise went away.
give it a try.

[astro355]

Had a similar problem
I sprayed the pulley and cluch plate down with electrical contact cleaner and the noise went away.
give it a try.

That's really not a good idea. When that bearing gets noisy, its already done. Covering it up will setup you up for a bad day. I have seen those clutch assemblies lock-up preventing the serpenting belt from spinning and therefore preventing your engine from running. I have seen one "explode" not only removing the serpentine belt form the pulley assembly but also remove antifreeze from the radiator.

I just saying, do it right the first time.

[ddreier]

Had a similar problem
I sprayed the pulley and cluch plate down with electrical contact cleaner and the noise went away.
give it a try.

That's really not a good idea. When that bearing gets noisy, its already done. Covering it up will setup you up for a bad day. I have seen those clutch assemblies lock-up preventing the serpenting belt from spinning and therefore preventing your engine from running. I have seen one "explode" not only removing the serpentine belt form the pulley assembly but also remove antifreeze from the radiator.

I just saying, do it right the first time.

I understand what your say
Perhaps I should expand on the question and my answer.

He was asking about a sqeak on or around the A/C unit wondering if it could be a bearing.
Bearings do not normally make a sqweeking noise.
So I based my answer on a sqweeking noise.
The A/C clutch plate runs about a 1/16 of an inch away from the pulley when not engaged.
threw the years dirt and grime build up in the clutch shaft not allowing a full disengagment allowing the clutch face and pully face to rub against each out causing the noise.
using a electrical contact cleaner to clean this area will allow a full disengagment which will end the noise. I have used this method for many years with on alot of vehicles with success.

[astro355]

Yes, and when the a/c compressor makes that metallic sounding death squeak, its a very good idea to replace the compressor on your terms as opposed to replacing it on its own terms.

[brickyard]

Thanks for the replies guys.

If the bearing in the pulley is going bad, what does that have to do with the internals of the compressor? I also understand about the dirt build up and it making noise because the clutch never fully disengauges. I have used carburator cleaner for cleaning dirty things like that which could be used for the same purpose.

My issue is I was laid off in March and am still unemployed so while I understand about "doing it right" and just replacing the whole compressor, That is at least $250 and the AC Delco compressor is around $300. They do sell the pulley seperately for $125. If that is the issue, right now I would rather get it fixed to prevent a major problem and replace the compressor later when I have a steady income again. In addition, I am not sure it is the A/C at all and I wouldn't want to spend $300 and still have the squeek.

I did try spinning the pulley while the belt was off in the 4x I removed and re-installed the altenator (long story) and there was no clear sign it was making noise then or bad enough to detect. The noise can be heard at idle, but not constantly, and under acceleration but when up to speed and cruising you don't hear it. Turning on the A/C doesn't seem to change things so the possibility of it being the dirt between the pulley and clutch is not to high. That's why I was leaning more towards the pulley.

I also inspected the belt and it did not have any cracks on the inside grooves when flipped around and bent backwards. Even though the belt appears to be in good shape, I wonder if it could still be the belt. Some of my description seems to point towards a slilping belt sqeeling. That's about $38 dollars and not as big a hit. It also is something that wouldn't hurt to have changed.

Does anyone know how to take the clutch and A/C pulley off so I could at least inspect them further? I didn't see a clear way to remove them.

['cudapaul]

Unfortunately to repair the clutch from the AC compressor requires at least one, if not two tools: one to remove and install the AC clutch hub assembly, the other to press the bearing out although you may have a shop do this. The link below is an example, it may not be the exact one you need for your type compressor:

http://www.napaonline.com/MasterPages/N ... aller+-+GM

One thing to consider is that when the AC clutch is engaged, the clutch/pulley and compressor are rotating at the same speed and I don't think the clutch bearing is turning at a different speed between the compresor shaft and the pulley. SInce you indicated that the noise is present in either condition, that may rule out the clutch bearing as being the source of noise.

I would start with a different belt. SInce money is tight, see if you can get one from a wrecking yard. It's not important that it be in perfect condition, but that it is a way to rule out the belt as a problem. Of course, having a spare is never a bad thing and you will eventually need a replacement belt, so you may still want to purchase a new one. I would do a little shopping for a new one though, I have bought Gates serpentine belts for less money:

http://www.napaonline.com/MasterPages/N ... Serpentine

Good luck in tracking it down, it can be very frustrating. BTW, if your compressor is indeed bad (which I don't think it is) it has probably already dumped metal in the system, and you might as well ride it out as it is and keep using it.

If your are interested in teh front end of the AC compressor, here's an article to read:
http://flashoffroad.com/Maintenance/hva ... ervice.htm

[astro355]

Thanks for the replies guys.

If the bearing in the pulley is going bad, what does that have to do with the internals of the compressor? I also understand about the dirt build up and it making noise because the clutch never fully disengauges. I have used carburator cleaner for cleaning dirty things like that which could be used for the same purpose.

My issue is I was laid off in March and am still unemployed so while I understand about "doing it right" and just replacing the whole compressor, That is at least $250 and the AC Delco compressor is around $300. They do sell the pulley seperately for $125. If that is the issue, right now I would rather get it fixed to prevent a major problem and replace the compressor later when I have a steady income again. In addition, I am not sure it is the A/C at all and I wouldn't want to spend $300 and still have the squeek.

I did try spinning the pulley while the belt was off in the 4x I removed and re-installed the altenator (long story) and there was no clear sign it was making noise then or bad enough to detect. The noise can be heard at idle, but not constantly, and under acceleration but when up to speed and cruising you don't hear it. Turning on the A/C doesn't seem to change things so the possibility of it being the dirt between the pulley and clutch is not to high. That's why I was leaning more towards the pulley.

I also inspected the belt and it did not have any cracks on the inside grooves when flipped around and bent backwards. Even though the belt appears to be in good shape, I wonder if it could still be the belt. Some of my description seems to point towards a slilping belt sqeeling. That's about $38 dollars and not as big a hit. It also is something that wouldn't hurt to have changed.

Does anyone know how to take the clutch and A/C pulley off so I could at least inspect them further? I didn't see a clear way to remove them.

Thank you, that was all you had to say. We have this belt dressing at the shop. I don't like to use it as a permanent fix but it can determine if your noise is caused by the belt. Did you check the pulley for the power steering pump and fluid level?

[brickyard]

Ok, it took me a little while to post this but last weekend I did some further inspection. I removed the belt and tried spinning the AC compressor pulley again. There wasn't any loud noise and it did spin freely and not stick anywhere. What I did notice is some very slight play allowing me to rock the AC pulley just a very slight amount. Since I assume the bearing for the pulley is attached to the compressor shaft, this play might have been the compressor shaft and not the pulley bearing itself. In any event, it was very, very slight. I also notice some noise although it was very faint. It sort of sounded like those conveyor belts with all the wheels on them they use in wharehouses to move the boxes around with. It made that kind of sound like you could hear the balls inside the bearing moving. I don't think that is a good thing. I also checked the power steering pump and spun that a bit too but didn't notice or hear anything.

Oh, before I took the belt off I did some more tests. If the car was running at a higher speed consistently, it continued to make noise the entire time, although it was on and off, not constant. This, with finding some slight noise in the pulley has me more convinced it is the bearing in that pulley.

After putting eveyrthing back together, I have been told it's quieter than it was before and doesn't make as much noise. It's not the vehicle I usually drive so I have to rely on those who do drive it for some information.

Thanks for the information on the tools. I will need them when I attempt to change the bearing. It seems there is nothing wrong with the pulley so just changing the bearing should do the trick. It will probably be a while though before I attempt this since I am trying to conserve funds but I don't want to wait to long.

[astro355]

Have you tried using mechanics a stethoscope? That way, you can listen to the internals of the compressor while the engine is on. They are pretty cheap and I would just hate for you to change the bearings and not have the problem go away.

[brickyard]

Have you tried using mechanics a stethoscope? That way, you can listen to the internals of the compressor while the engine is on. They are pretty cheap and I would just hate for you to change the bearings and not have the problem go away.

I don't have one but if they are not expensive, it may be worth getting one before spending money I don't need to. I will check Sears to see what they have since most of my tools are Craftsman.

Thanks for the tip. I will check it out. I am sure that will help a bit in tracking this down.